Taking from the SAVE LANDO!!!! thread (as this isn't an exclusively Adywan thread I've copied these contributions over so they may be worked on here as contributors see fit.
On killing Han instead (or as well):
Bingowings said:
I don't know how it could be done but an alternate take could be to kill Han in the Endor battle (so he never see's the Falcon again) and have Lando live and marry Leia (many, many years later).
That would make Harrison Ford happy, keep the cries of "You killed the only black character" at bay and what's more move him from the B list to the A list characters.
Killing Lando is more doable though....
DarkFather said:Lando sacrificing himself, I believe, would be superfluous. As Bingowings already mentioned, his redemption was putting himself on the line for months in order to save Han from Jabba. He was hanging around as a mole waiting to sabotage in one of the murkiest locations in the galaxy.
Only Han dying in the carbonite, which he obviously survived, would warrant Lando sacrificing himself at the Battle of Endor. I doubt Lando has much guilt left in his mind now that Han is rescued in no small part thanks to him.
That's why I vote that if we are going to have any of the heroes die in the final clash between Rebellion and Empire, it is better to have it be Han. To have rescued the rogue-turned-hero only to have him die soon afterward would add an extra sense of tragedy to the death.
In essence, they would have undertook a long, dangerous rescue mission just to have a few more precious days with their dear friend.
It's poetic.
InfoDroid said:
Han could be killed when the charges blow at the bunker. He could be swept up in the explosion that seems to level several city blocks.
doubleofive said:
Not bad, but if HAN died we'd REALLY need some reaction shots.
DarkFather said:
He has a funny feeling like he's never going to see her again.
And... if we take away the ropes holding Han's feet to the sand cruiser over the Sarlaac Pit... it could also act as a hint to Han being attuned to the Force.
Hmm. I still say Han dies, though. I'll try to pick a moment in the film when this can be done later. Expect greatness.
As for reaction shots, it could be something subtle. As when Luke is looking on at the ghosts, alter his expression slightly to reflect an underlying sadness. When Leia comes up behind him to beckon him over to the celebration, the alterations would need to be a lot more substantial... though at the same time not too hard to pull off: take away the broad smile, and replace it with a weaker smile to Luke that only lasts for a brief moment, while making it clear that she has tears running down her face.
Also, we could put a pire next to Anakin's for Han. It doesn't necessarily have to be a tradition exclusively for Jedi, but a tradition in honor of the greatest of heroes.
InfoDroid said:
He could fall into the Sarlaac with Boba. ;)
On killing off charchters other than Lando or Han :
BarBar Jinkx said:
I say kill em' all off, & let the emperor win! >;-)
focuspuller said:
What are you going to do next, kill Wedge?
BarBar Jinkx said:
Don't give him any ideas I love wedge!
EyeShotFirst said:
If you are gonna kill someone. go by the infinities approach and kill luke. I wouldnt mind seeing leia die. of course How in the fuck is it even possible to kill someone off of their importance. It will be a bitch and I garuntee that it will be even more of a bitch to blow up the 2nd death star without lando.
ben_danger said:
or maybe Luke dies, and Vader survives. at endor he gives Leia Luke's sabre before he self immolates on a pyre with his son.
Dangerous Incorporated said:
Kill Jar Jar. Dont kill Lando!!
The last one would be difficult to do in Jedi but not impossible.
And finally for changes not relating to character deaths :
TheoOdo said:
I always sort of guessed it would be something smaller that would still disregard the EU. Like, say, Leia not being Luke's sister?
I dunno', that's always seemed like the obvious choice to me.